Parents who educate children at home ‘must pass’ competency tests

AS many as 2,000 children may be receiving their education at home — without the necessary permission from the authorities.

Under the Education Welfare Act, 2000, parents who home educate their children are legally obliged to register their children with the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB).

Last year, 316 parents registered with the NEWB for the scheme, but it is estimated that a further 1,500 to 2,000 may be ignoring this requirement.

It is claimed that many parents refuse to comply because they feel that it infringes on their constitutional right to home educate a child.

Under articles 42.1, 42.2, 42.3.2 of the Constitution, parents are seen as the primary educator of their child and have permission to home-educate them.

As of 2000 however, NEWB was given responsibility for the educational welfare of six-year-olds to 16-year-olds, and any parent who wishes to home school their child must now first go through an assessment procedure.

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